Typically, half of East African cities urban residents walk to work (60% Kampala daily commute trips are on foot) yet infrastructure provision for non-motorised transport remains mainly aspirational. Inclusion of vulnerable communities in the development of streetscape infrastructure to support their journeys is rare; but considering their livelihood and social interaction needs in planning is even less common. Addressing sustainable mobility for developing country cities is therefore a key urbanisation challenge.

Currently street space in E. African cities is preferentially allocated towards motorised transport. Rarely is dedicated space allocated to non-motorised transport (cycling) and walking nor consideration given to people with mobility limitations (elderly, disabled etc.). Even where space is allocated, boundaries are often violated placing all road users at risk. Additionally limited public realm street space is often re-appropriated for business activities further restricting safe mobility

Building upon a completed GCRF network grant (CMIIST) that explored with artists, practitioners, planners and policy makers the potential benefits of using more creative methods to co-design urban infrastructure to enhance mobility, the project compares the outcomes of deploying such approaches on: inclusion; co-benefits including unexpected improvised opportunities; and outcomes – with current standard planning practices. It also evaluates the longer term learning legacy encouraged by this interdisciplinary action research on key decision makers to assess if belief changes have occurred.

Video: Steve Cinderby talks about how i-CMiiST started

This project will focus upon the key issue of safe, sustainable streetscapes aiming to co-design schemes that would re-balance priorities between motorised and sustainable transport modes. It will identify interactions of people, urban infrastructure design and their behaviours in these spaces.

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The I-CMiiST project is funded by the British Academy’s Cities & Infrastructure programme and explores whether more creative co-design methods can reveal alternative more inclusive streetscape options that facilitate safer urban mobility. It is collaboration between creative experts in the UK and East Africa with transport planners and policy makers.